And that’s where it would end. The next part of the conversation about macroeconomics and international trade policy is rarely the stuff of great chit chat or dinner conversation outside of a specific professional bubble.

Promoting economic growth has been at the center of the international aid and philanthropy since its inception. Underneath this goal is a set of assumptions rooted in colonialism and racism that it is important to probe. Have we rid ourselves of the idea that ‘traditional’ societies must be assisted to develop in the same manner as rich countries? Can economic advancement, good governance and gender equality happen without outsiders offering solutions for people in the Global South?

To put it another way, are people who are poor and people of color capable of leading themselves?

We know they are.

New Name Is a Game-Changer

In 1985, when the founders of my organization came together with like-minded people — those who wanted to create an alternative to top-down development — the name International Development Exchange (IDEX) seemed right. The organization strove to ignite cultural exchange and also change how U.S. citizens related to the Global South. They were united not around raising GDP, but around improving people’s economic opportunities, health, education, and overall well-being.

There is no better guardian of this freedom—no better defender of the vulnerable—than civil society: Committed, compassionate, engaged citizens organizing themselves—and mobilizing others—to work on behalf of others.
Indeed, during the last several years, many countries have begun restricting the right to assemble—and impeding the work of civil-society organizations, of NGOs, and faith groups, and associations of the discounted, disregarded, or disenfranchised. I see so many people fighting fear with concerted, courageous, compassionate action. Every day, on every continent, they take action for dignity, for fairness, and for the democratic values they believe in.
These brave men and women speak truth to power. They forge relationships with local communities and understand their concerns. By taking action, they make people feel less vulnerable. And you can bet that more than a few of them sat exactly where you sit today.
No matter where you work, I challenge you to think about ways you can bring your talent and tools to work for civil society, too. Ask yourselves:
How can I learn from the courageous work of civil-society organizations and their leaders around the world?
How can I take my cues from communities and civil society—from the people closest to the problems themselves—and advocate for change?
How can I act on behalf of the NGOs defending human rights in countries where they are under threat?
How can I model and extend these freedoms we cherish to all people?
It will take humility, and courage, and commitment to spread freedom from fear, and create a world that is free of fear. But this freedom—and all our freedoms—are worth fighting for.
Read the source article at Home / Ford Foundation

We wanted a powerful concept from the natural world to express the positive, transformational changes emanating from women, youth, and indigenous leadership around the world. Though activists and ordinary people alike suffer constant setbacks, such as the jailing and torture of Bobi Wine in Uganda or the death of two-year-old Mariee Juarez under ICE custody or the murder of natural resources defenders in Guatemala, there are grassroots organizations and movements on all continents bucking the “old school” paradigm of international development.

What hasn’t changed in more than 30 years is that the people living and working closest to these problems are the source of the solutions. Currents, like visionary grassroots leaders, have force and direction. When small, yet formidable pockets of people power come together, that’s when Thousand Currents sees results.

Time to Take On the Status Quo

Today, Thousand Currents is focused on addressing our shared global challenges, not just the issues faced by a marginalized community or a poor country. Acknowledgement of this complexity requires new approaches from donors. Our grantmaking model — which is based on unrestricted financial support, multi-year timeframes, and culturally-competent personnel — reflect the world we want to see at Thousand Currents.

Old notions of development no longer serve us, and neither do rote unnecessarily bureaucratic responses to our most urgent problems. We as funders must move faster, think more creatively, build stronger relationships, and engender more effective collective action.

Currents affect every single person on the planet every single day. They are part of a moving, interdependent global picture.

And all of us — donors, grassroots activists, U.N. employees, everyday people — are the currents of change.

Three Ways to Move Past Old Paradigms

Learn about the key principles of trust-based philanthropy, as outlined by our friends at The Whitman Institute. Without trust, we devalue or dismiss expertise that doesn’t look like ours and miss out on important opportunities for social transformation. How can we remove the barriers for people to make decisions about how our resources are used?

Fund directly at the grassroots level. Effective grassroots groups are part of the social fabric of any community and spring from existing, lasting, and mutual relationships. Staff and volunteers have the most relevant contextual knowledge and analysis and often know the people they serve on a one-on-one basis. This personal stake results in a long-term commitment that outsider organizations can never have.

Attend the Thousand Currents Academy. In this week-long, residential course we connect funders to grassroots wisdom by offering tools, models, and good practices. Faculty are global thought leaders — frontline community organizers, ecologists, artists, funders, and grassroots activists from the Global South. Perhaps most importantly, participants join a collaborative peer network of over 100 skilled Impact Influencers shaping over $4 billion worth of philanthropic investment who offer continued support.

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Original contribution by Jennifer Lentfer, Thousand Currents Director of Communications. (A version of this article first appeared in The Guardian.)

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